The Emotional Toll of Children with Tourette Syndrome
Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder causing involuntary movements and sounds, often misunderstood and stigmatized. Children with Tourette Syndrome face isolation and emotional distress due to lack of knowledge about the condition.
Presenting involuntary movements, swearing in an uncontrolled manner and being considered “freaks” by those around them are reasons for suffering for infants with Tourette Syndrome, explained the researcher from the Faculty of Psychology (FP), Hugo Sánchez Castillo.
The lack of knowledge about this mental condition, which affects one percent of the population, and the fact that in Mexico there is fear of admitting mental health problems, children can be relegated and socially isolated, he added when referring to the issue in interview.
We are afraid to say: in my family there is someone psychotic, schizophrenic, even with Alzheimer's Syndrome, it is simply said that they are lazy or that they don't want to do things. Mental health is undervalued, we believe a person with a disorder is weak and has not adapted, he argued.
The expert in neurodegenerative and behavioral disorders specified that it is an ancient disease, in terms of registration, which was described for the first time by the French neurologist Georges Gilles de la Tourette, in 1885, who treated a marchioness who manifested rudeness, and it was said that his face was contracted.
Years later, Mary Robertson took up the case and named the syndrome in honor of Gilles de la Tourette. Currently, it is known that it is an affectation at the level of the basal ganglia and an affectation in the prefrontal cortex to regulate its behavior; This causes children to report that before an episode they feel an “aura”, or that they begin to shake or see lights, which is why some try to regulate the behavior.
It is a condition that is reported more frequently in boys than in girls, and appears in early stages of development (at 10 or 11 years old), although there are cases in which the symptoms last until adulthood, but when the prefrontal cortex Mature the patient can regulate his behavior, he said.
It is characterized by the presence of tics or involuntary movements that can be vocal like echolalia, that is, when a person repeats everything that another says; coprolalia, uttering obscene or inappropriate words; and when he only talks, talks and talks, it is called palilalia.
Also raising the hands or feet repetitively, and the most complicated variant is the one considered malignant because it involves repetitive self-harm behaviors; For example, they are hit and bones can be broken or sharp objects stabbed.
Sánchez Castillo emphasizes that it is essential to know that when they face these tics they are aware of the situation and suffer because they try to avoid it. This causes a significant adaptation problem because they are considered strange, problematic people and, in extreme cases, monsters.
Situations related to the mind are not cured, they are controlled. In the case of Tourette Syndrome, in numerous instances it is removed as they grow, but if it is chronic when it develops, it can be treated with antipsychotic drugs so that they do not become overexcited, he highlighted.
Due to its nature, it can be confused with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, for example anxiety due to shouting or exasperation; or with autism, due to the repetitive attitude and constant movements, the specialist explained.
In that sense, Sánchez Castillo added that there must be a correct recognition of the symptoms. Minors do not say it or do not like it because of this stigma that makes them see themselves as monsters, rude, and they become withdrawn or have adaptation problems.
The specialist recommended to parents that if they observe that their child presents these manifestations, poor school performance, does not interact with other children, or remains with his hands under the table gripping them tightly, it is likely that he is trying to control the motor tic. . Or, if he makes strange noises several times, it may be something out of his control, so instead of scolding or punishing him, ask him whether she can control him or not.
Additionally, specialized help must be sought. The FP has professionals who offer services in their clinics and in public hospitals with which they collaborate.
